Perchlorate in drinking water around rocket manufacturing and testing facilities and firework manufacturing sites in Kerala, India

Abstract

Perchlorate is used as an oxidizing agent in rocket propellants, fireworks, munitions, etc. This results in perchlorate contamination of drinking water sources in the nearby areas. The present study was carried out in Kerala, southwest coast of India, where exist rocket propellant manufacturing site (Ammonium Perchlorate Experimental Plant), rocket propellant testing facility (Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station) and several fireworks manufacturing sites. Perchlorate contamination in drinking water was monitored during post-monsoon, pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons around these sites. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry was used for perchlorate quantification in drinking water. Mean perchlorate in drinking water ranged from 1.03 to 3760.16 ppb in post-monsoon, <6 to 5094.87 ppb in pre-monsoon and 13.99 to 601.28 ppb in monsoon. The perchlorate contamination is found to be varied with season, site and the type of drinking water.